1/17/2026 570 words 3 min read

Bitcoin Flashes Near-Identical Fractal Before The 2021 Bull Run Started

Bitcoin Flashes Near-Identical Fractal Before The 2021 Bull Run Started

Overview

Recent analysis suggests that Bitcoin may be mirroring a market structure that historically preceded one of its most significant rallies. A high-timeframe trader has identified a fractal resembling Bitcoin’s behavior before the 2021 bull run, indicating that the current cycle may be following a well-established pattern observed over more than a decade.

Bitcoin’s Fractal: Rooted In High-Timeframe Structure

The trader’s analysis is based on a structural comparison between Bitcoin’s current cycle and the setup observed in 2021. This comparison is illustrated in a chart that aligns both periods, showing a similar progression where Bitcoin advanced into a broad distribution range, then experienced a sharp corrective phase, and subsequently attempted recovery while facing descending resistance.

In both instances, Bitcoin retraced to a significant Fibonacci level before stabilizing, suggesting a shared technical inflection point rather than mere coincidence. This structural symmetry is not limited to price levels; it also reflects timing, as the current cycle appears to track the rhythm of previous four-year cycles with notable consistency. The data has historically supported high-probability short positions near peak candles, reinforcing the trader’s view that recurring market structures continue to influence directional risk.

Psychological Resistance and Structural Limits

The fractal analysis highlights the importance of psychological resistance in determining Bitcoin’s upside potential. In 2021, Bitcoin faced challenges in reclaiming a specific price level, which established a behavioral precedent regarding trader responses to significant round-number thresholds. In the current cycle, the trader identifies $100,000 as a key psychological ceiling that could affect market behavior.

This ceiling may prompt preemptive actions from market participants, potentially leading to selling pressure from underwater holders and distribution by larger players. The analysis also notes that diagonal trendlines observed in 2021 reinforce this potential resistance, creating a structural limit on upward momentum.

Short-term price movements into the $98,000–$99,000 range are deemed plausible and compatible with the identified fractal, as it allows for an approach to the psychological ceiling. Furthermore, positioning data from the past several months indicates that the median short-term buyer cost basis has clustered between $95,000 and $100,000. This clustering highlights zones where profit-taking and defensive selling may intensify, suggesting a scenario where price could test resistance, experience temporary stalls, and respect structural limits.

The trader emphasizes that the framework is probabilistic and that only a sustained move above $104,000–$105,000 would break the fractal pattern, necessitating a comprehensive reassessment of the high-timeframe trend.

From author

The analysis presented highlights the significance of structural patterns in market cycles, particularly in the context of Bitcoin’s price movements. The identification of a fractal that aligns with previous cycles offers a perspective that could guide traders and investors in their decision-making processes. Understanding these patterns may provide insight into potential market behavior, although the inherent unpredictability of the crypto market remains a crucial factor.

Impact on the crypto market

  • The identification of a fractal pattern may influence trader sentiment and strategy, encouraging more cautious or proactive approaches.
  • Psychological resistance at $100,000 could deter potential buyers and lead to increased selling pressure, impacting market dynamics.
  • The clustering of short-term buyer cost bases around $95,000 to $100,000 may result in intensified profit-taking and defensive selling, affecting price stability.
  • A sustained move above $104,000–$105,000 could signal a significant shift in market behavior, prompting a reassessment of existing trends.
  • Overall, the analysis underscores the importance of historical patterns in shaping current market expectations and behaviors.
Source: NewsBTC (RSS)

Updated: 1/17/2026, 6:26:37 AM

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